NBC’s “Today” show co-anchors Hoda Kotb and Savannah Guthrie welcomed former first lady Michelle Obama for an interview on Thursday that covered several issues of the day.
These included the #MeToo movement, which seeks to remove sexual harassment and sexual violence from the workplace — and everywhere.
The show’s co-hosts focused their comments on the female point of view. Obama said the #MeToo movement has served to make people aware of what a “dangerous place” the world is for women and girls — and emphasized that the current generation of females can’t give up its fight, even if makes some people, namely men, uncomfortable.
“I’m surprised at how much has changed, but how much has not changed,” she said in the interview, just over a year since the #MeToo movement began.
“Enough is enough,” she said.
“The world is, a, sadly, dangerous place for women and girls,” she said. “And I think young women are tired of it. They’re tired of being undervalued. They’re tired of being disregarded.”
Obama’s comments came almost one week after Judge Brett M. Kavanaugh was confirmed to the highest court in the land, despite uncorroborated and 11th-hour allegations of sexual assault against him, which played out in dramatic fashion during testimony from both Kavanaugh’s accuser, Christine Blasey Ford, and Kavanaugh himself.
True to the liberal playbook, Obama noted her support of women — with no mention of the dangerous nature of false allegations of sexual misconduct or assault against males.
Her comments were particularly notable since they were focused on the issue of the #MeToo movement — and not on pay gaps, female advancement in the workplace, or other common issues that feminism seeks to address.
Obama’s comments basically said to men, “Sorry, but this movement is happening.”
Kotb said to the former first lady, “There are some who believe the #MeToo movement went to a point … there’s a backlash is happening, and men are saying, ‘Now wait a minute, what about us?’”
Obama answered, “That’s what happens with change, you know. Change is not a direct, smooth path. There’s gonna be bumps and resistance. I mean, there’s been a status quo in terms of the way women have been treated, what their expectations have been in the society, and that is changing.”
“There’s going to be a little upheaval, there’s gonna be a little discomfort,” she added. “I think it’s up to the women out there to say, ‘Sorry, I’m sorry you feel uncomfortable, but I’m paving the way for the next generation.”
The audience clapped and yelled in approval.
Watch the interview in the video below.
Join the Discussion
COMMENTS POLICY: We have no tolerance for messages of violence, racism, vulgarity, obscenity or other such discourteous behavior. Thank you for contributing to a respectful and useful online dialogue.